Hearne in Robertson County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Greater Riverside Cemetery
This cemetery has served the African-American community in Hearne and the old town of Hearne since 1894. The area was originally settled by farmers, many of whom brought slaves with them when they immigrated to Texas. Hearne, named for Christopher Columbus Hearne, was platted in 1868 and developed as a crossroads for rail traffic.
This burial ground was originally named the New Colored Cemetery, though it was known by a variety of names over the years; it was most commonly called St. Mark's Cemetery until 1933, when it became known as Riverside Cemetery. The original burial ground was made up of twenty acres purchased by the Colored Cemetery Association. The Primitive Baptist Church donated an acre to the burial ground when they relocated from here in 1906, and St. Manuel Baptist Church added an additional three acres in 1948.
The first known interment here was of Chaney Delila Henderson in 1896. Since that time, hundreds of burials have occurred here. The grounds hold an especially large number of military veterans, including those who fought in conflicts dating to the Spanish-American War. Among the cemetery's features are markers for members of the Mosaic Templars of American, a black fraternal association with few known chapters in Texas. The Greater Riverside Association formed in 1982 and maintain the 24-acre cemetery; the association also renamed the burial ground. Today, Greater Riverside Cemetery continues to serve as a testament to the rich African-American legacy in the community of Hearne.
Historic Texas Cemetery - 2007
Erected 2007 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 15086.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Cemeteries & Burial Sites. A significant historical year for this entry is 1894.
Location. 30° 51.775′ N, 96° 35.989′ W. Marker is in Hearne, Texas, in Robertson County. Marker can be reached from Old Mumford Road (County Highway 50) half a mile south of Hackberry Street. The marker is located in the northern section of the Riverside Cemetery near the back fence. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Hearne TX 77859, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Colored Graveyard in the Old Town of Hearne (approx. 0.7 miles away); St. Philips Episcopal Church (approx. 1.1 miles away); First Baptist Church (approx. 1.1 miles away); The Robert Cyrus Allen Home (approx. 1.1 miles away); A Century of the Methodist Church (approx. 1.2 miles away); Allen Hardware Store (approx. 1.2 miles away); Norwood Cemetery (approx. 1.7 miles away); Brazos Manufacturing Company, C.S.A. (approx. 1.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hearne.
Credits. This page was last revised on March 8, 2021. It was originally submitted on March 7, 2021, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 459 times since then and 68 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 7, 2021, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.